Method of adorning articles with an astrological sign and a corresponding ruling planet, and an article so adorned

ABSTRACT

An article having an adornment thereon wherein the adornment consists essentially of a pair of icons. A first icon of the pair of icons is a depiction of a ruling planet. A second icon of the pair of icons is a depiction of a sign of the zodiac corresponding to the depiction of the ruling planet according to astrological pairings of ruling planets and their corresponding signs of the zodiac. The pair of icons is chosen from the group consisting of: a Sun and Leo pair, a Saturn and Capricorn pair, a Venus and Taurus pair, a Venus and Libra pair, a Mars and Aries pair, a Pluto and Aries pair, a Mars and Scorpio pair, a Pluto and Scorpio pair, a Mercury and Virgo pair, a Mercury and Gemini pair, a Jupiter and Sagittarius pair, a Jupiter and Pisces pair, a Uranus and Aquarius pair, a Moon and Cancer pair.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/518,288 filed Nov. 10, 2003 entitled Method and Device of Adorning Articles with an Astrological Sign and Ruling Planet.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of adornments containing astrological signs and in particular to a method of adorning articles including apparel, jewellery and other articles with a single co-related astrological sign and ruling planet pair and to articles displaying same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In its simplest aspect, astrology sees humankind as being not only influenced by hereditary and environmental factors, but also by the state of our solar system at the moment of birth as, for example, is reported at www.astro.com. As explained there, the aspects formed between the planets describe these relationships. The positions of the planets in relation to the place of birth tell us of their expression in the spheres of life depicted by the astrological houses. Expanding thereon, it is further noted that by interpreting the roles of these players (the planets) and their qualities (the elements, signs and houses) and creating a synthesis, astrology is able to present a complete and comprehensive picture the person and his potential based on the natal horoscope.

As reported in www.britannica.com/eb/article?eueguals80524, in primitive astronomy the term, “planet”, was applied to the seven celestial bodies that were observed to move appreciably against the background of the apparently fixed stars. These planets included the sun and moon, as well as the five true planets, being Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. It is fair to say that the signs of the zodiac come to us from antiquity, it being reported that following upon the Mesopotamian arrangement of the constellations, which became the basis of the ecliptic or zodiacal system, the zodiac, recognized to be a Babylonian invention, came into being.

The ecliptic, or zodiacal system, is a belt around the celestial skies which extends on either side of the ecliptic, being the plane of the earth's orbit and the sun's apparent annual path. Once the ecliptic was clearly recognized, it was divided into the twelve signs of the zodiac, the oldest record of which dates back to 419 B.C. Each of the twelve astrological signs of the zodiac is considered to occupy one/twelfth, or thirty per cent, of the ecliptic's great circle. Although it is reported that the signs of the zodiac no longer correspond precisely to the astronomical constellations in which the sun actually appears, present day astrology continues to place great importance on the positions of various planets within the twelve constellations of the zodiac.

The dates of the sun's passage through the constellations of the zodiac provided for the now conventional dates assigned to the various signs of the zodiac as set out in FIG. 1. These dates are still used for the astrological signs, it being reported that although the history of the symbols for the signs of the zodiac are unknown, they seem to have first appeared in Greek manuscripts of the late middle ages.

Today the signs of the zodiac are associated with the reading of horoscopes and the assigning of attributes to a person born under a particular sign, for example, as set out in the table of FIG. 3 and as published at www.astrology-online.com. In the last column of that table, the ruling planets associated with the corresponding sign of the zodiac in the left hand column are set out.

In the prior art of which applicant is also aware, the signs of the zodiac have become the substance of artistic engraving such as set out in U.S. Des. Pat. No. 290,821 which issued on Jul. 14, 1987 to Deville for a Jewel, and have also become the subject matter of board games such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,549,495 which issued on Apr. 17, 1951 to Lightfoot et al. for An Astrological Game Apparatus.

It is thus intended that the present invention may be described as a ruling planet icon paired with a corresponding zodiac icon in a depiction or illustration or art work or other visually recognizable media which consists essentially of the pair. Non-essential elements may be further combined, including a depiction of a backdrop of stars or a depiction of the Milky Way or other aesthetically pleasing ornamentation which does not detract from a single recognizable ruling planet and corresponding zodiac sign pair.

In summary, the present invention may be characterized as an article which is adorned with a ruling planet icon paired with a corresponding zodiac icon in a depiction or illustration or art work or other visually recognizable media (herein collectively referred to as a “depiction”) which consists essentially of the pair, and the method associated with same. Non-essential elements may be further combined, including a depiction of a backdrop of stars or a depiction of the Milky Way or other aesthetically pleasing ornamentation which does not detract from a single recognizable ruling planet and corresponding zodiac sign pair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

What is neither taught nor suggested in the prior art and which is an object of the present invention to provide, is the teaching of a readily ascertainable, single association between a ruling planet and its corresponding sign of the zodiac as presented on an article of apparel, jewellery or other articles such that on any one particular article, only one pair of ruling planet and its corresponding sign of the zodiac is displayed, thereby conveying the clear and uncluttered association in a manner that may be displayed largely for ease of viewing compared in relative terms to the size of the article on which it is found. The depiction of these astrological pairings may, but need not necessarily, be accompanied by artwork such as a backdrop of stars, a depiction of the milky way or other aesthetically pleasing ornamentation which does not detract from a single, recognizable ruling planet and corresponding zodiac sign pair.

In summary, the present invention may be characterized in one aspect as an article having an adornment thereon wherein the adornment consists essentially of a pair of icons. A first icon of the pair of icons is a depiction of a ruling planet. A second icon of the pair of icons is a depiction of a sign of the zodiac corresponding to the depiction of the ruling planet according to astrological pairings of ruling planets and their corresponding signs of the zodiac. The pair of icons is chosen from the group consisting of: a Sun and Leo pair, a Saturn and Capricorn pair, a Venus and Taurus pair, a Venus and Libra pair, a Mars and Aries pair, a Pluto and Aries pair, a Mars and Scorpio pair, a Pluto and Scorpio pair, a Mercury and Virgo pair, a Mercury and Gemini pair, a Jupiter and Sagittarius pair, a Jupiter and Pisces pair, a Uranus and Aquarius pair, a Moon and Cancer pair. In one embodiment the article may further include a background of stars for example it may a depiction of the Milky Way.

The method according to a further aspect of the present invention of adorning an article includes the steps of:

-   -   a) providing the article to be adorned;     -   b) applying an adornment to the article, wherein the adornment         consists essentially of a pair of icons; a first icon of the         pair of icons being a depiction of a ruling planet, a second         icon of the pair of icons being a depiction of a sign of the         zodiac corresponding to the depiction of the ruling planet         according to astrological pairings of ruling planets and their         corresponding signs of the zodiac;     -   c) selectively the pair of icons for the adornment from the         group consisting of: a Sun and Leo pair, a Saturn and Capricorn         pair, a Venus and Taurus pair, a Venus and Libra pair, a Mars         and Aries pair, a Pluto and Aries pair, a Mars and Scorpio pair,         a Pluto and Scorpio pair, a Mercury and Virgo pair, a Mercury         and Gemini pair, a Jupiter and Sagittarius pair, a Jupiter and         Pisces pair, a Uranus and Aquarius pair, a Moon and Cancer pair.

The method may include applying a further adornment consisting of a background of stars for example further including applying a depiction of the Milky Way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 4-12 depict various ruling planet and corresponding zodiac sign pairings in constellatory form, and in particular in the illustrations in which like reference numbers denote corresponding parts in each view:

FIG. 1 is a chart of the prior art is with the twelve signs of the zodiac and their corresponding dates of the sign.

FIG. 2 are twelve signs of the zodiac as they appear in various forms such as illustrated by way of example as published at www.astrology-online.com.

FIG. 3 is a table as published at www.astrology-online.com

FIG. 4 is the sun and the Leo sign as the ruling planet/sign of the zodiac pair for display according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is Saturn and Capricorn as the ruling planet/sign of the zodiac pair for display according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is Venus and Taurus as the ruling planet/sign of the zodiac pair for display according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is Venus and Libra as the ruling planet/sign of the zodiac pair for display according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is Mars and Pluto and Aries as the ruling planet/sign of the zodiac pair for display according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is Pluto and Mars and Scorpio as the ruling planet/sign of the zodiac pair for display according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is Saturn and Capricorn as the ruling planet/sign of the zodiac pair for display according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 a is, in front elevation view a shirt with the ruling planet/zodiac sign pair according to the invention.

FIG. 11 is Mercury and Gemini as the ruling planet/sign of the zodiac pair for display according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 a is, in front elevation view a shirt with the ruling planet/zodiac sign pair according to the invention.

FIG. 12 is Venus and Libra as the ruling planet/sign of the zodiac pair for display according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 a is, in front elevation view a shirt with the ruling planet/zodiac sign pair according to the invention.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are, in front elevation view, jewellery pendants each having single ruling planet/zodiac sign pairs according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As seen in FIGS. 4-12 a symbol representing a ruling planet, in this context intended to include the sun as a planet, is paired in a single pair, with a symbol representing a corresponding sign of the zodiac according to the paired relationship set out in FIG. 3. The astrological conventions as set out above, govern which ruling planet is paired with which sign of the zodiac, and the present invention is intended to deal with only those paired ruling planets and their corresponding signs of the zodiac and none others. In particular, a single pair is intended to be depicted on a single article such as an article of apparel or jewellery or some other article such as those listed in Schedule A hereto which forms part of this disclosure. The ruling planets may be depicted by art work or other graphical form which depicts characteristics of the actual physical planet or sun as the case may be, or may be graphically represented by symbols or icons which suggest or even name the ruling planet in the pair. Similarly, the corresponding sign of the zodiac may be represented by a symbol or icon which is conventionally accepted, although various permutations and deviation from accepted symbols are intended to be incorporated herein. Indeed, conventionally much deviation exists in signs of the zodiac so long as generally accepted characteristics of a particular sign of the zodiac are recognizable or some other symbol is used which clearly suggests or describes the sign of the zodiac which is intended to be conveyed. Thus for example, Gemini is recognized by a twin symbol, sometimes as simple as a pair of parallel lines, Taurus is recognized by a bull or a pair of horns or something representing or suggesting a pair of horns, and so on as is conventionally found in the prior art.

It is thus intended that the present invention may be described as a ruling planet icon paired with a corresponding zodiac icon in a depiction or illustration or art work or other visually recognizable media which consists essentially of the pair. Other elements may be further combined, including a depiction of a backdrop of stars or a depiction of the Milky Way or other aesthetically pleasing ornamentation which does not detract from a single recognizable ruling planet and corresponding zodiac sign pair.

By the use of a single unique ruling planet/zodiac sign pair, even a lay person will immediately and easily understand the relationship between the two, especially because, due to the simplicity of a single pair, the symbols may be associated by a graphic which is relatively large compared to the size of the surface available for display of the pair on the particle article being adorned. Thus as may be seen by way of example in FIGS. 10 a, 11 a and 12 a, an article of apparel 10 may have on a front surface thereof, a ruling planet icon 12 adjacent a corresponding zodiac sign 14 in a single unique pair. As depicted, background artwork 16 on an article 10 may include a backdrop of stars 18 or a depiction of the Milky Way 20 or other such decorative aesthetically pleasing background items which do not detract from the unique pair.

In FIGS. 13 and 14, articles of jewellery, namely pendants 10′, each have single ruling planet 12/zodiac sign 14 pairs prominently thereon. In the illustrated embodiments, an artistic pendant frame 16′ has a void in its center, in which are rigidly mounted stars 18 supporting ruling planet symbol 12′. Symbols 12′ may be spheres which are colored to represent the particular ruling planet, or, for example, as depicted may be discs with the ruling planet symbol 12 or icon depicted thereon.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims. 

1. An article having an adornment thereon wherein said adornment consists essentially of a pair of icons; a first icon of said pair of icons being a depiction of a ruling planet, a second icon of said pair of icons being a depiction of a sign of the zodiac corresponding to said depiction of said ruling planet according to astrological pairings of ruling planets and their corresponding signs of the zodiac, wherein said pair of icons is chosen from the group consisting of: a Sun and Leo pair, a Saturn and Capricorn pair, a Venus and Taurus pair, a Venus and Libra pair, a Mars and Aries pair, a Pluto and Aries pair, a Mars and Scorpio pair, a Pluto and Scorpio pair, a Mercury and Virgo pair, a Mercury and Gemini pair, a Jupiter and Sagittarius pair, a Jupiter and Pisces pair, a Uranus and Aquarius pair, a Moon and Cancer pair.
 2. The article of claim 1 further comprising a background of stars.
 3. The article of claim 2 wherein said background stars include a depiction of the Milky Way.
 4. A method of adorning an article comprising the steps of: a) providing the article to be adorned; b) applying an adornment to said article, wherein said adornment consists essentially of a pair of icons; a first icon of said pair of icons being a depiction of a ruling planet, a second icon of said pair of icons being a depiction of a sign of the zodiac corresponding to said depiction of said ruling planet according to astrological pairings of ruling planets and their corresponding signs of the zodiac; c) selectively said pair of icons for said adornment from the group consisting of: a Sun and Leo pair, a Saturn and Capricorn pair, a Venus and Taurus pair, a Venus and Libra pair, a Mars and Aries pair, a Pluto and Aries pair, a Mars and Scorpio pair, a Pluto and Scorpio pair, a Mercury and Virgo pair, a Mercury and Gemini pair, a Jupiter and Sagittarius pair, a Jupiter and Pisces pair, a Uranus and Aquarius pair, a Moon and Cancer pair.
 5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of applying a further adornment consisting of a background of stars.
 6. The method of claim 5 further comprising applying a depiction of the Milky Way. 